MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The United States will buy 30 Russian-made helicopters for the Afghan army, nearly doubling the number of copters in Afghanistan's fleet, officials said.
The Afghan Army will have a total of 63 Russian Mi-12V-5 helicopters by the end of 2014, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.
The United States had previously purchased the copters in 2011 and this year, to help Afghanistan's military fend off attacks from Taliban soldiers.
Russian state arms dealer Rosoboronexport said the agreement is a "positive outcome," Khaama Press reported.
"Rosoboronexport and the U.S. government drew up and signed a new large agreement in 2013 to deliver an additional batch of 30 helicopters in 2014, which was another demonstration of mutual understanding between the sides and their course towards a positive outcome," the department said.
